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This is the bayonet for the 'Zouave' musket, the last contract muzzle-loading rifle that the Union government ordered in the Civil War. 12,500 of these weapons were built for the contract and the inspector's initials 'B.H.' are stamped on the back of the hilt, just under the muzzle ring.

This was based on the 1842 pattern French bayonet, but, instead of an iron cross guard, has a brass one and a leather and brass scabbard, as opposed to an iron one.

The bayonet has a 20-inch gently recurved blade, as opposed to the straight examples found on the copies. The seam on the scabbard has opened throughout its entire length and the leatherwork is not in very good shape, but this is to be expected with the age of the piece. There are some cuts to the muzzle ring (from combat?) and the rivet holding the brass guard in place is an iron one, with a small capital letter 'H' punched to one side. The scabbard mounts are brass held by brass rivets and there is a small capital letter 'C' or 'G' punched on the frog stud. The blade has some minor patination at its base.

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